otobüs

The otobüs is a motor vehicle designed to carry a large number of passengers on public roads. It operates on scheduled routes as part of urban and intercity public transport systems. Buses are commonly used where demand exceeds what can be served by smaller vehicles and where fixed-route service is needed to provide reliable travel times.

The term otobüs is Turkish, formed from oto (auto) and bus (omnibus). The word has been in use since the mid-20th century and is the standard name for this type of vehicle in Turkish.

Urban buses are typically designed for quick passenger exchange, with features such as multiple doors and low-floor accessibility. Vehicle lengths range from about 8 to 12 meters for standard models, up to 18 meters for articulated buses. Propulsion options include diesel, natural gas, hybrid, battery-electric, and hydrogen fuel cells, reflecting ongoing efforts to reduce emissions and improve efficiency.

Operations and governance vary by country and city. Otobüs services are often run by public transit authorities, municipalities, or private operators under contract, with fare collection using integrated or contactless payment systems. In Turkey, metropolitan municipalities and private operators provide otobüs service, usually coordinated with other transit modes to form a unified network.

Intercity coaches also use dedicated bus infrastructure and service patterns, offering longer-distance travel with higher comfort. These vehicles differ from urban otobüs in seating arrangements, amenities, and service frequency, and are optimized for longer travel times between cities.